Technology

Technologies That Enable Mars Exploration

Technology development makes missions possible. Each Mars mission is part of a continuing chain of innovation: each relies on past missions for new technologies and contributes its own innovations to future missions. This chain allows NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what is currently possible, while relying on proven technologies as well.

Technologies of Broad Benefit

Propulsion:

for providing the energy to get to Mars and conduct long-term studies

Power:

for providing more efficient and increased electricity to the spacecraft and its subsystems

Telecommunications:

for sending commands and receiving data faster and in greater amounts

Avionics:

electronics for operating the spacecraft and its subsystems

Software Engineering:

for providing the computing and commands necessary to operate the spacecraft and its subsystems